Here Is A Book, written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Over here is the artist's studio overflowing 
with papers, pencils, watercolors, brushes, 
sketches, drafts, a wastebasket, a light, a 
desk, a chair, music, tea, days, nights, art,
and wonder."

There has never been an Elisha Cooper book I did not love! He is just brilliant at creating books to savor for all that he includes in his stories and illustrations. He does that same thing again in this one, as he pays homage to picture books in a way that takes readers from the flicker of an idea in the artist's head to a book in their hands. 

He sets the mood immediately with an introductory image of a solitary house beneath a mostly cloudy night sky. A turn of the page shows that same house on a double page spread that shows it in early morning light, and its setting on a wide expanse at the edge of water. Someone is looking out over the water, sketchbook in hand. The title page brings readers closer to the artist's hands, the sketchbook, and the sky full of clouds being sketched. 

As the artist sits and looks, a variety of images emerge as ideas. The garden offers produce to be taken in to the house. A close look at the kitchen where food is prepared, the artist' studio where materials needed provide a chance to work and rest and work again. Once the work is done, she pedals her bike to a seaside town where she leaves her art at her publisher's office. 

Her work is done, and the next part of the process is handled from layout to printing. A truck transports the finished copies through rural wonder to the streets of an urban center where the books are delivered to a school for its library and the children who use it. Finally, one student takes the book home to be share with family, and independently for days to come. 

A facing page to the final spread shows the child reading said book, while surrounded by reminders of other favorites from past encounters. In the end, a sketchbook in that child's hands shows promise for the making of a new book. Don't pass up checking under the dustjacket to see what is there. 

"Here is a book. Look. It is made with care, 
warmth, color, rhythm, teamwork, time, 
beauty, adventure, grit, inspiration, curiosity, 
action, structure, humor, wonder, and love."